Search Privacy Violations, Breaches and Complaints
This database was last updated in December 2015 ago and should only be used as a historical snapshot. More recent data on breaches affecting 500 or more people is available at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Breach Portal.
EISENHOWER MEDICAL CENTER
Cited by the California Department of Public Health for a violation of California’s Health and Safety Code relating to medical privacy during an inspection that began on March 28, 2013. Also cited in 279 other reports.
Report ID: NQG611, California Department of Public Health
Reported Entity: EISENHOWER MEDICAL CENTER
Issue:
Based on interview and record review, the facility failed to ensure the PHI (protected health information) of Patient A remained confidential. This failure resulted in the unauthorized disclosure of Patient A's PHI to Patient B.Findings:An interview was conducted with the facility's Compliance Associate (CA) on March 28, 2013, at 4:15 p.m. The CA stated the discharge instructions for Patient A were given to Patient B as the discharge nurse in the emergency department did not follow the discharge procedure for patient identification.A review of Patient A's PHI located on the discharge instructions included the patient's name, diagnosis date of visit, medical record and account numbers, medications, tests conducted, specific test findings and instructions regarding those findings. A review of the facility policy, "HIPPA - (health information portability and accountability act) Use and Disclosure of Protected Health Information, (Last Reviewed/Revised 11/18/2011)," was conducted. The policy indicated, "It is the policy of (the facility) that the confidentiality of Protected Health information contained in records and collected pursuant to treatment will be protected to the fullest extent possible. To maintain this confidentiality (facility) staff may not disseminate PHI unless it is pursuant to a valid request, a valid authorization or a legally recognized exception to this requirement."
Outcome:
Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Health & Safety Code 1280